Temperature controlled inflatable tent

ABSTRACT

A temperature controlled inflatable tent is provided. The tent includes a base and one or more sidewalls forming an interior volume. The base and the one or more sidewalls each include a first layer and a second layer forming an enclosed interior volume disposed therebetween, wherein the interior volume retains air. A valve is in fluid communication with the interior volume of each the base and the one or more sidewalls. A first sidewall includes an opening having an inflatable door, wherein the door is removably secured to a perimeter of the opening via a fastener. A panel is disposed within the interior volume of the base, wherein the panel includes a heating and cooling element that is operably connected to a power source and a thermostat. The thermostat selectively actuates the heating and cooling element, such that an internal temperature of the tent can be set by a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/530,509 filed on Jul. 10, 2017. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tents for camping. More specifically,the present invention provides a temperature controlled inflatable tentfor outdoor camping.

Many people enjoy camping during various times of the year. During thesummer months, sleeping in a tent may be uncomfortable due to theexcessive heat. Conversely, during the fall and winter months, sleepingin a tent may be difficult when subjected to freezing temperatures.Furthermore, many campers have trouble when erecting a standard tentbecause of the multitude of parts. Therefore, a temperature controlledinflatable tent including inflatable walls for providing an insulationbarrier and a thermostat operably coupled to a heating and coolingelement for regulating the temperature inside of the tent is needed.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to tents. Theseinclude devices that have been patented and published in patentapplication publications. These devices generally relate to tents usedfor camping or outdoor events. Many of these devices include variousstyles of frames for supporting the walls of the tent. Some tentsinclude an inflatable frame structure. Other tents include removablewalls or modules that can be rearranged.

These known art devices have several known drawbacks. These devices failto include inflatable sidewalls that insulate the tent housing. Further,these devices lack an internal heating and cooling element disposedwithin the base that controls the internal temperature of the tenthousing. Lastly, these devices fail to include a thermostat that canselectively control the internal temperature of the tent.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements from theknown art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the artfor an improvement to existing tent devices. In this regard the instantinvention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types oftents now present in the known art, the present invention provides a newtemperature controlled inflatable tent wherein the same can be utilizedfor providing convenience for the user when regulating an internaltemperature of an inflatable tent while camping.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved temperature controlled inflatable tent that has all of theadvantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a temperaturecontrolled inflatable tent including a base and one or more sidewallsforming an interior volume. The base and the one or more sidewalls eachinclude a first layer and a second layer forming an enclosed interiorvolume disposed therebetween, wherein the interior volume retains air. Avalve is in fluid communication with the interior volume of each thebase and the one or more sidewalls. A first sidewall includes an openinghaving an inflatable door, wherein the door is removably secured to aperimeter of the opening via a fastener. A panel is disposed within theinterior volume of the base, wherein the panel includes a heating andcooling element that is operably connected to a power source and athermostat. The thermostat selectively actuates the heating and coolingelement, such that an internal temperature of the tent can be set by auser.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a temperaturecontrolled inflatable tent that may be readily fabricated from materialsthat permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the temperaturecontrolled inflatable tent.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the temperaturecontrolled inflatable tent taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a phantom view of an embodiment of the heating and coolingelement of the temperature controlled inflatable tent.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the temperaturecontrolled inflatable tent, wherein a hand pump is attached to thevalve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the temperature controlled inflatable tent. For the purposesof presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention,the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for regulating aninternal temperature of the temperature controlled inflatable tent whilecamping. The figures are intended for representative purposes only andshould not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the temperature controlled inflatable tent. Thetemperature controlled inflatable tent 11 comprises a base 12 and one ormore sidewalls 13 forming an interior volume. In the illustratedembodiment, the temperature controlled inflatable tent 11 includes foursidewalls 13. However, any suitable number of sidewalls 13 may beutilized. A first sidewall 13A of the one or more sidewalls 13 includesan opening 14 having an inflatable door 15 attached thereto. Theinflatable door 15 is configured to removably secure to a perimeter 17of the opening 14 via a fastener 16. In the illustrated embodiment, thefastener 16 is a zipper. However, any suitable fastener configured toclose the space between the perimeter 17 of the opening 14 and the door15 may be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature controlled inflatabletent 11 further includes one or more adjustable poles 18 removablysecured to an outer surface 19 of the one or more sidewalls 13. Theadjustable poles 18 are configured to add stability to the one or moresidewalls 13 of the temperature controlled inflatable tent 11 when thetent is fully inflated. In this way, the adjustable poles 18 prevent thetent from collapsing or moving resulting from significant wind orweather. Further the adjustable poles 18 may be utilized to hold the oneor more sidewalls 13 of the tent while inflating. In some embodiments,the tent 11 further includes a plurality of stakes, configured to securethe tent to a ground.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of anembodiment of the temperature controlled inflatable tent taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1. The base 12 and the one or more sidewalls 13 of thetemperature controlled inflatable tent 11 each include a first layer 20and a second layer 21 having an enclosed interior volume 23 disposedtherebetween. The first layer 20 and the second layer 21 are constructedof a non-permeable material, such as neoprene, configured to retain airtherebetween. A valve 22 is disposed on the one or more sidewalls 13,wherein the valve 22 is in fluid communication with the interior volume23 between the first 20 and second layer 21 of both the base 12 and theone or more sidewalls 13. In this way, air can be received through thevalve 22 via a pump, such that the one or more sidewalls 13 and the base12 inflate. When inflated, the air retained in the interior volume 23 inconjunction with the first layer 20 and second layer 21 act as aninsulated barrier from the external air temperature outside thetemperature controlled inflatable tent 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a phantom view of an embodimentof the heating and cooling element of the temperature controlledinflatable tent. The temperature controlled inflatable tent 11 furtherincludes a panel 24 disposed within the interior volume of the base,wherein the panel 24 includes a heating and cooling element 29 therein.The heating and cooling element 29 is configured to control the internaltemperature of the tent 11. The panel 24 is operable connected to apower source 25 that supplies power to the heating and cooling element29. The power source 25 may be any suitable power source, such as, arechargeable battery, solar panel, or electrical cord.

The panel 24 further includes a thermostat 26 that is operably connectedthereto, wherein the thermostat 26 selectively actuates the heating andcooling element 29. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermostat 26 isa digital thermostat comprising a digital screen 27 and a control panel28. The control panel 28 is configured to allow a user to set theinternal temperature of the tent. Further, the thermostat 26 may includea timer to automatically activate or deactivate the heating and coolingelement 29. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating and coolingelement 29 is disposed in a serpentine pattern to optimally heat or coolthe surface area of the base. However, any suitable pattern may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the temperature controlled inflatable tent, wherein a handpump is attached to the valve. In use, a user 30 inflates thetemperature controlled inflatable tent 11 by attaching an air pump 31 tothe valve disposed on the tent 11. The air pump 31 can be any suitableair pump, such as a hand pump or motorized pump. In the illustratedembodiment, the user 30 can utilize the adjustable poles 18 by attachingthe poles to the outer surface of the tent 11 to provide additionalstability to the tent. Once the tent 11 is erected, the user 30 selectsa desired temperature via the thermostat which will actuate the internalheating and cooling element. In this way, the heating and coolingelement allows the user to warm the tent 11 during low temperatures andcool the tent during high temperatures, thereby providing a comfortablesleeping environment while camping.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A temperature controlled inflatable tent, comprising: ahousing having a base and one or more sidewalls forming an interiorvolume; wherein each the base and the one or more sidewalls include afirst layer and a second layer having an enclosed interior volumedisposed therebetween, wherein the first layer and the second layer areconfigured to retain air therebetween; wherein a first sidewall of theone or more sidewalls includes an opening having an inflatable doorthereon, wherein the inflatable door is removable secured to a perimeterof the opening via a fastener; a panel disposed within the enclosedinterior volume of the base, wherein the panel includes a heating andcooling element; a thermostat operably connected to the panel, whereinthe thermostat selectively actuates the heating and cooling element; avalve in fluid communication with the enclosed interior volume of eachthe base and the one or more sidewalls, wherein the valve is configuredto receive air therethrough; a power source operably connected to thepanel; 2) The temperature controlled inflatable tent of claim 1, whereinone or more adjustable poles are secured to an outer surface of thesidewall. 3) The temperature controlled inflatable tent of claim 1,wherein the first layer and the second layer are constructed of anon-permeable material. 4) The temperature controlled inflatable tent ofclaim 3, wherein the non-permeable material is neoprene. 5) Thetemperature controlled inflatable tent of claim 1, wherein thethermostat is a digital thermostat having a digital screen and a controlpanel. 6) The temperature controlled inflatable tent of claim 5, whereinthe thermostat includes a timer. 7) The temperature controlledinflatable tent of claim 1, wherein the power source is a rechargeablebattery. 8) The temperature controlled inflatable tent of claim 1,wherein the fastener is a zipper.